On the other end of the spectrum, Indiana ranked as best in the Midwest and No. 5 in the U.S., with Texas, Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee taking the top four spots. All of these states attract swarms of people in migration from Illinois, especially Texas, Florida and Indiana.
Illinois is one of four states in the entire U.S. to have fewer private sector jobs today compared to the turn of the century. The Land of Lincoln needs pro-growth reforms to allow the state’s private sector to rise again.
Total compensation for affected legislators and statewide officeholders equals about $1.3 million per month, according to the comptroller. On top of salaries, taxpayers also have to foot the bill for lawmaker pensions – in Illinois’ active legislators will each cost the state budget about $180,000 next year.
Since the state's recession bottom, Illinois has regained less than 5 percent of its manufacturing jobs — the worst rate of recovery among all neighboring states.